Figure 1.

Cav1 can buffer PM tension via different mechanisms. Dolines (bigger and irregular PM invagination devoid of PTRF) gradually buffer low–medium mechanical force increases, while caveolae (regular PM nanoinvaginations, size-restricted by PTRF binding) provide acute buffering to higher forces, only flattening beyond a certain tension threshold. Thus, dolines exhibit a ‘spring-like’ response vs. the ‘mechanical switch’ constituted by caveolae. Created with BioRender.com accessed on 15 January 2023.